"Inspirational space for the whole community"
The
original Oriel Hall in Upper
Swainswick
had been the centre of social activity in the village for over 60
years. It was built
around 1927 on land owned by Oriel College in Oxford which was
purchased for £30 donated by residents in the
area. It was still going strong in 1994 when it was demolished to make
way for the Swainswick/Batheaston by-pass.
The Highway
Authority
undertook to
build a replacement hall, but it took 8 years to
find a suitable site.
Eventually,
the Victorian junior
school in Larkhall, built in 1845, but which had fallen into an
advanced state of disrepair, was bought for
£100,00. It needed a further £1.25 million and two years for
Emerys to bring Ronald Leask's vision of the new Hall to reality
and the beautifully refurbished premises reopened in May 2004.
Over and
above the Highway
Authority's commitment, money raised to create an additional small hall
and
meeting rooms. Externally, the impressive steps, the ramp providing
disabled access and the
gardens have improved the amenity of the area very considerably.
Nobody knew whether the New Oriel Hall would prove to be a viable concern, but a group of dedicated volunteers worked so hard for the first year that it was possible to employ two administrators sharing a full-time post by May 2005. Their enthusiasm and hard work carried the Hall forward so that all the various spaces in the Hall are now being used regularly and the finances are stable.